Honda has officially launched its first full-fledged electric motorcycle with the WN7. A futuristic-looking naked, packed with technology, with a touch of Hornet DNA and a battery that will just get you out of town. Brave? Absolute. Revolutionary? Not exactly.
First full-fledged EV from Honda
After the EM1 e: scooter and the CUV e:, Honda is now finally launching what they call their first ‘real’ electric motorcycle. The WN7 (Wind Naked 7) is the embodiment of the slogan “Be the Wind” – a quiet, smooth and fluid driving feeling, which according to Honda takes the pleasure of electric driving to a higher level.
The heart of the WN7 is a 9.3 kWh High Voltage Battery Pack, linked to a liquid-cooled electric motor with a peak power of 50 kW (68 hp) and a torque of 100 Nm. The motor drives the rear wheel via a belt drive and promises a range of up to 140 kilometers (WMTC). For A1 drivers there will also be an 11 kW version with slightly more range, up to 153 kilometers.
Technology and bicycle part
The WN7 is built around a frameless aluminum chassis, with the battery pack acting as a load-bearing element. Honda uses hollow and open-shaped die-cast aluminum parts, which ensures optimal torsional stiffness, while not making the construction too rigid. Smart design of the arms and the sandwich principle of the hanger plates provide balanced flexibility in vertical, lateral and torsional direction, which ensures agile and smooth driving behavior.
According to Honda, the geometry is aimed at agility. The steering head angle of 25° and trail of 99 mm underline this, in contrast to the wheelbase, which is not exactly flashy at 1,480 mm. With a seat height of 800 mm and a narrow center body of 260 mm, the WN7 is low enough for almost any rider.
The overall dimensions are 2,156 mm long, 1,085 mm high, with a steering angle of 35° and turning circle of 2.8 m, values that Honda claims are comparable to a CB500 Hornet. If not the weight, which at 217 kilos is not bad at all for EV standards, but quite a few kilos heavier than that Hornet. The riding position is slightly more relaxed than the Hornet, with lower handlebar and footpeg placement for an upright, comfortable position in busy city traffic.
The Showa 43mm USD front fork (120mm travel) and rear mono-shock via aluminum Pro-Arm single-sided swingarm (120mm travel) provide fine suspension, while Nissin brakes (two 296mm discs front, 256mm disc rear) with IMU-linked cornering ABS guarantee precision and safety. The WN7 rides on new five-spoke aluminum wheels with 120/70-17 front tire and 150/60-17 rear tire.
Driving is possible in four modes – Standard, Sport, Rain and Econ – each with adjustable regeneration power (0–3). Handy for the city: a Walking Speed Mode (forward and reverse) and a Selectable Speed Limit Assist (SSLA) to prevent unconscious speeding.
The 5-inch TFT display offers full smartphone integration via Honda RoadSync, including navigation, music and calls. There is also keyless start, USB-C connection, full LED lighting, DRLs, automatically switching off indicators and Emergency Stop Signal.
Charging and performance
The WN7 supports fast charging via the CCS2 car network: from 20 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes – good for about 89 kilometers of extra range. Charging at home is also possible: at the socket in 5.5 hours or via a special 6kVA wall charger in 2.4 hours.
In terms of performance, it is close to a CB500 Hornet: 0–100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 129 km/h. Noise and vibrations are minimal, which ensures that typical EV smoothness – although it may also lack the soul that a petrol block still has.
Design and equipment
In terms of styling, the WN7 follows a new design language that Honda calls “Sophisticated Functionality”. Clean horizontal lines, semi-transparent side panels, bar-end mirrors and a slender, almost concept bike-like silhouette. Available in three colours: Matt Pearl Morion Black, Pearl Deep Mud Gray and Graphite Black.
The fact that Honda is the first of the established order to dare to launch a full-fledged electric motorcycle shows courage — and we sincerely respect that. At least Big Red dares to do something that brands like Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki are still talking about.
But let’s be honest: we are not (yet) really impressed. The range of 140 kilometers is not exactly groundbreaking even by EV standards; brands like Zero, Energica and even Ultraviolette already offer 200 kilometers or more. The charging time of 30 minutes from 20 to 80 percent also sounds nice, but with a battery of only 9.3 kWh that is certainly not a record.
And then the price: based on the UK price, the Dutch sales price will be well above 16,000 euros. The WN7 thus enters a segment where powerful petrol nakeds and serious electric competitors are also driving around – which not only go further, but sometimes also charge faster.
In short: kudos to Honda for finally taking the plunge and taking the plunge. But if this is the wind we have to ride with, then we hope that a somewhat stiffer breeze will arise from Tokyo soon.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.